Pastor Rene's Bible studies
 

The Gospel of Luke-- Chap 22

We can learn from our failures

In Luke 22:1-62, the two striking figures are Judas and Peter;

We will first learn more about Judas by looking at parallel passages:

Luke 22:3 (NIV) Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. 4 And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. 5 They were delighted and agreed to give him money. 6 He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.

Then Satan entered Judas, -- but not yet in the full sense. The stages were:

  1. Greed; The Lord let it reveal itself and gather strength by entrusting him with "the bag" (John 12:6) as treasurer to Himself and the Twelve. (For other people (us), it may be other things as lust, fame , success, friends, habits etc…)

    2. John 12:6 (NIV) He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.,

  2. In fulfilling the task he was entrusted with, he became "a thief", taking some of its contents from time to time for his own use. Satan, seeing this door into his heart standing wide open, determines to enter by it, but cautiously (2 Corinthians 2:11).

2 Cor 2:11 (NIV) in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.;
  • First merely "putting it into his heart to betray Him" (John 13:2), suggesting the thought to him that by this means he might enrich himself.
    •

    John 13:2 (NIV) The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus.
  • This thought became probably a settled purpose by what took place in Simon's house at Bethany. (See Matthew 26:6,
    •

    Mark 14:5 (NIV) It could have been sold for more than a year's wages and the money given to the poor." And they rebuked her harshly. 6 "Leave her alone," said Jesus. "Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 8 She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. 10 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them.

    and see on John 12:4-8.)
    1. He held back for some time the decision to carry out his plan until when sat at the Last summer, "Satan entered into him" (see on John 13:27),

    John 13:27 (NIV) As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. "What you are about to do, do quickly," Jesus told him,

    In Luke 22:28; The disciples did not understand.

    v.29; They thought Judas had the $ bag to buy something, or give to the poor.

    Judas probably did not like other people to manage $ (it would be him to decide what to give to the poor or how to use the ministry $).

    Conclusion

    3 parties: Satan- men (sinful men, meaning it for evil)- God (divinely ordaining it for reconciliation).

    Only Matthew reported that Judas hanged himself… Compare with Ps 41:9 and the story of Ahitophel who betrayed David and also took his life after that.

    What lessons in all this for every one ?

    Ephe 4:27 (NIV) and do not give the devil a foothold.

    1Pet 5:7 (NIV) Cast all your anxiety (Trouble your mind, divide your loyalty) on him because he cares for you. 8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

    Are we true disciples of Jesus? Or uncommitted pretenders; we can choose despair and death or repentance, forgiveness, hope and life…

    Peter

    Luke 22:31 (NIV) "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat.

    32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."

    33 But he replied, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death."

    34 Jesus answered, "I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me."

    Denying and betraying are similar in nature. Both are failures but these two men had different reactions to their problems and failures.

    Our society rewards success and punishes failure. There is a great pressure to make it. We love winners and look down at loosers. We all grow with a deep need to succeed. We care so much about what others may think of us.

    But all of us have failed at one time or another. All of us can learn much through failure.

    Often failure is a prerequisite to success. Many people failed once or more times before they became successful. Abraham Lincoln considered himself a failure. Thomas Edison failed many times before he lit his first bulb. Winston Churchill said: "Success is going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm."

    In the Gospel, Peter learned some deep truths through failure.

    It was bad enough he denied Jesus but the worst is that he boasted that he wouldn't.

    1. His failure did not affect his relation with Jesus (The angel at the tomb said: GO tell the disciples and Peter,)

    2. His failure did not affect Peter's role in the Church. He became a pillar in the church (Gal 2:7-9)

    3. For a Christian, failure is not the end of the road. It's often the beginning of a new ministry since it is in our weakness that we are made strong.

    Then look at Jesus who was facing death not for himself but for otheres (sinners, blasphemers, criminals).

    He stood the test and did not fail. He did not deny his Father's will. He did not refuse, reject, rebel or betray who he was and what he was called to do.

    In Luke 22:40,46, Jesus praying in Gethsemany, exhorted the disciples to pray that you will not fal into temptation.

    It is His Grace we receive in prayer.

    Luke 22:40 (NIV) On reaching the place, he said to them, "Pray that you will not fall into temptation."

    Luke 22:46 (NIV) "Why are you sleeping?" he asked them. "Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation."

    "Show me a totally satisfied man-- and I will show you a failure." Thomas Edison

    "Failure sometimes enlarges the spirit. You have to fall back upon humanity and God." Charles H. Cooley

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